Page 47 of Dima
“Yeah, I’m trying to get Daze and Mob to move out there too. Now that I have brothers, I don’t want to lose them.”
“Keep talking to them. They may come.”
“As long as they stay out of trouble, that would be good enough for me. But listen, I got to go.”
I kissed my baby again before walking out. I was ready to wrap things up in Mississippi so I could get as far away as I could. The only reason I was going into the office today was because my uncle wanted to reinstate me in front of everyone. He didn’t want anyone to question the decisions I’d made.
The field office was filled with agents when I made it. I hadn’t seen some of them in years. The whole room clapped when I walked in. Everybody shook my hand or hugged me as I made my way through the crowd. I was happy to be getting so much love after putting my father away.
My father had sat on the throne of this state for years. He had friends in high and low places. Crossing him didn’t usually go well for people.
“Alright, alright. Let him through.”
Atlas spoke from the front of the office. They were all standing in sort of a horseshoe around him. Some people stood behind desks or wherever they could fit. I hugged him when I made it to the front.
“You did good, son.”
“I couldn’t have pulled it off without you.”
My uncle shook my hand and pulled me in for another hug. When he let me go, he turned to address the crowd.
“I know what you all have heard about Agent Walker. They told you that he’d went rogue, but I want to set the record straight today. Walker is responsible for single-handedly bringing down one of the most notorious gangs in this city, the Jack-town JUs. He went into the fight and came out wounded but victorious.
“Agent Walker is the definition of what it means to put this job above all else. He had to give up his own flesh and blood for the greater good. His father, my brother, is behind bars because he put him and Agent Fitz there for the crimes they committed in a city they claimed to love.
“Agent Walker has earned this promotion and the right to pick his next field office. Y’all give it up for him.”
The boardroom erupted in applause as I stood in front of them. My left arm was still wrapped in the sling that covered the bullet hole. My leg still had a limp, but I was alive, despite it all.
“Wow. Just last week I wasn’t even an agent. I had been burned by my own father. Even my handler had hung me out to dry. They made you believe that I’d turned against the promise I made to this badge.”
I rubbed my badge between my fingers before taking it off my neck. It didn’t feel like something I wore with pride anymore. It felt like a noose chaining me to a place I had grown out of.
“I have struggled to decide if I wanted to continue to do this job. I went into an undercover operation sure that I knew who the bad guys were, and I came out with a completely different outlook. Sometimes the bad guys are the people we call friend, brother, even father. The question is, what are you going to do when the opposition turns out to be someone you love?
“Will you hold true to your principles? Will you put the badge above all, or will you make excuses for your loved ones?
“I don’t wear this badge with honor today. If I’m being honest, me and this badge have a love and hate relationship right now. I have to learn to love it again, but I’m willing to do that. I hope with a change of scenery and new pace, I can learn to love it again. But what I am sure about is that I will do whatever it takes to remain a man of principle.
“This system often upholds the liars and protect the wrong people. It is our job to make sure we fight for those who deserve it. That’s all I got.”
When the crowd dispersed, I walked into the office with Atlas. I knew he didn’t want me to leave, but I was happy he supported me anyway.
“I’m going to miss you, youngsta.”
“You can always come visit me in Cali.”
“You better believe I will.”
We both laughed. He walked over to the window that he loved to look out of. It gave him a full view of the city he lived for.
“I’m leaving this city in the best hands, Unc. Nobody will do the job better than you.”
“Dima, you have been the son I never had. I hope you find everything you are looking for out there.”
“I will, Unc. Me and Maeve gone find it together.”
He pulled me into a side hug, and we said our goodbyes. I walked out of the Jackson field office for the last time, with my head held high. I was ready to leave this city behind me for good, and I was thankful Maeve was ready to do the same.
